Canvas to be painted should be prepared with size - oil causes it to rot.

Paper should be covered with a thin coat of oil paint, and then the other coats applied as usual.

Sometimes after the first coat of paint a coat of size is applied , but this, though cheaper, is not such good work.

Clearcole consists of white lead ground in water and mixed with size. It is useful in preparing greasy and smoky surfaces to receive paint, which is afterwards laid on in the ordinary way, the white lead being mixed in half oil half turpentine with the colouring pigment and driers, and laid on as stiff as possible.

Repainting Old Work

The surface should be scoured with soap and water; if greasy or smoky, washed with lime water; when dry, rubbed down with sand-paper or pumice-stone; all necessary repairs should be made, cracks and openings stopped with putty, and portions from which the paint is blistered or knocked off brought up to the general level by painting, or with cement, before the surface is repainted.

When the old paint is very much blistered, it should be removed altogether before repainting.

This may be done by various solutions containing potash, quicklime, etc., which will be described in Part III.; or the old paint may be scraped or burnt off.